IDLING Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

idling 1 of 2

noun

as in loafing

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idling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of idle

as in lounging

to spend time doing nothing she likes to idle during the summer and recharge herself for the fall semester we idled away the evening relaxing around the campfire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of idling

Noun

There is no penalty associated with unattended idling in state statute, however, individual municipalities have ordinances in place with fines for the action. — Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 18 Nov. 2025

Verb

Companies across the industry have been idling facilities, with Suntory pausing production at one of Jim Beamâ€™s three Kentucky distilleries to upgrade the site while demand is low. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Diesel engine idling and high-risk industrial activity across the street from homes and parks would bring air, noise and light pollution. — Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 And Rovell quickly discovered Kobe’s mind was incapable of idling, even during dead-of-night text exchanges. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 Amazon representatives say the drone noise is comparable to an idling delivery truck when close to it, and that cameras cannot be accessed, only serving as a safety measure for flights. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 Working with Nic was like driving a Lamborghini that could shift from unbreakable speed to idling like a purring lioness. — Griffin Dunne, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026 Residents described idling in traffic as roads became jammed with evacuees. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 Not only that, unnecessary idling isn’t exactly great for your car’s engine. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 The researchers used their machine-learning framework to separate the influence of driving behavior from other factors known to affect battery aging, including temperature, state of charge, and periods of idling. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for idling

Noun

The researchers concluded that at least one of the keys to preventing social loafing is restoring individual responsibility within a group.

— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026

Definition of loafing

Verb

Before the sexy spectacle began livestreaming, Bündchen appeared in a video, lounging on a couch in pink lingerie, the ocean behind her.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
At the stern, the line’s signature ocean lounge is fitted with fold-out terraces that open to create an expansive waterside area for lounging or watersports.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of lounging

Noun

At irregular intervals, 27 leap seconds have been added to global clocks since 1972 – the last in 2016.

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
Doctors typically suggest about three weeks to recover without any flying, giving Leo just the interval needed before the trip.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of interval

Verb

Gvardiol looked jittery early on, rallied a little to break up some dangerous Porto attacks, but then started giving the ball away again and was booked for a needless pull after being caught dawdling in possession.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Further, there’s no excuse for Congress to continue dawdling on farm policy.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025

Definition of dawdling

Verb

The sense of just how much there is to do in this part of the world—the length of the scale between lazing and becoming ultra-active—is palpable.

— Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
Its clear, shallow waters were pleasant to wade into after lazing under one of the scrubby trees on the sand.

— Lucy Handley, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025

Definition of lazing

Verb

This is constantly fed by high-velocity air rammed through massive side intakes, directly chilling the cooling fluid.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Let sit at least 10 minutes or cover and chill up to 8 hours (no need to bring to room temperature before cooking if chilling).

— Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of chilling

Verb

The programming includes everything from live music and strolling carolers to festive crafts and local vendors.

— Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Oct. 2026
One early Saturday morning in June of 2025, a pair of very small raccoon cubs, about six weeks old, were strolling around the yard, exploring their world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of strolling

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idles

idling

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“Idling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idling. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of idling

noun

verb

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